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cj
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My 8th grade students are doing a comparison of ionic and covalent compounds, comparing their electrical conductivity. We see that water is not a good conductor. So why is it so dangerous to have electricity around water?
Kurdt said:Pure water is an insulator but if the water is not pure and especially if it has ionic solutes in it then it will conduct electricity.
hongkongrubbish said:Pure water is actually a conductor, since the H2O molecules will dissociate themselves into ions, although it is of very low concentration
Kurdt said:I was aware of this. The resistance of pure water is so high however that for the purposes of this question it would act as an insulator.
noagname said:if you have boiled water is that considered pure then would that mean more ohms can go through it
The conductivity of water is a measure of its ability to conduct electricity. Pure water has a very low conductivity, but as impurities are added, the conductivity increases.
The conductivity of water can be affected by various factors such as temperature, dissolved solids, and pH level. Temperature and dissolved solids tend to increase conductivity, while pH level can either increase or decrease it depending on the type of ions present.
The conductivity of water is typically measured using a conductivity meter, which measures the electrical conductivity between two electrodes placed in the water. The meter then converts this measurement into a numerical value, usually in units of microsiemens per centimeter (µS/cm).
Studying the conductivity of water is important for understanding the quality and purity of water. High conductivity can indicate the presence of contaminants, while low conductivity can indicate the absence of essential minerals. It is also important in industries such as agriculture, where conductivity is used to measure the salinity of soil and water for irrigation purposes.
The conductivity of water can have a significant impact on aquatic life. High conductivity can be harmful to certain species of fish and other organisms, while low conductivity can affect their ability to survive and reproduce. Monitoring the conductivity of water is important for maintaining a healthy ecosystem for aquatic life to thrive in.